On the Proper Attitude towards the Body
In fact, if we consider the dogma of the immortality and the superiority of the soul, which is an eminently Gnostic dogma, the body logically becomes a secondary factor. No matter what we do to it during this infinitesimally short earthly existence. Whether we look at it as a treasure or a rag, made in the image of God or of the Devil, and whether this perishable flesh, this poor rag is neglected, castigated, overwhelmed by macerations or pampered, obeyed, perfumed, and fed delicacies, when it will perish and when its atoms will dissociate themselves and enter into the darkness of the Kenoma; it will be neither here nor there.
The important thing is to know which conditions are the best for the intellectual amendment (the transformation of the Spirit) to accomplish itself. It is a question of temperament after all. It is evident that for some natures absolute continence will paralyze all spiritual progress, just like there are others in which carnal pleasures promptly causes an eminently fecund (creative) intellectual reaction. Reciprocally, the Gnosis has a universalist mission, and under the penalty of becoming but a pure theory, should provide for all the idiosyncrasies possible. This is what it has done and will continue to do.
Tau Synésius (Fabre des Essarts)
From : Conciliation Gnostique, Initiation, no.8, May, 1895.
The important thing is to know which conditions are the best for the intellectual amendment (the transformation of the Spirit) to accomplish itself. It is a question of temperament after all. It is evident that for some natures absolute continence will paralyze all spiritual progress, just like there are others in which carnal pleasures promptly causes an eminently fecund (creative) intellectual reaction. Reciprocally, the Gnosis has a universalist mission, and under the penalty of becoming but a pure theory, should provide for all the idiosyncrasies possible. This is what it has done and will continue to do.
Tau Synésius (Fabre des Essarts)
From : Conciliation Gnostique, Initiation, no.8, May, 1895.